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Landmarking is one tool

There has been much ado written lately about the West Highland Neighborhood Association’s sponsorship of a Historic Denver Inc. landmark designation application for the Webber, Mills, Ford house at W.32nd and Osceola St. Similar to other city land use rezoning applications, historic landmark designation follows a very carefully prescribed legal process that takes into consideration all relevant issues and factors before the City Council votes to approve or deny historic designation.

Assuming this application advances after a multi-level process which includes Landmark Commission, Planning Board and City Council reviews, be assured that the property owner will most certainly have an opportunity to address any concerns along the way because the applicant in this case is not the property owner. The City Ordinance governing landmarking does not require the property owner’s consent to designation, but does require the views of the owner to be taken into consideration.

Additionally, Landmark designation is often misunderstood to mean that private property rights are diminished. The intent of landmarking property is to preserve extraordinary architecture or the historical development of Denver. Not every historic property can achieve the strict landmark eligibility. But if designation is achieved, the usual outcome is enhanced property values for the surrounding area as well as the designated property. Landmark protects the structure from demolition while other property rights continue to run with the designated land such as approved zoning code uses associated with the zone district. New construction and reconstruction of a landmark property continues to be available to the owner. However, any requests for exterior alteration are subject to a published design review approval.

Preservation is only one tool that can be applied to maintain redevelopment balance in older urban neighborhoods. The heart of West Highlands is its oldest structures, building and homes. These buildings define the past, present and hopefully the future for generations to come. I will support thoughtful and selective preservation decisions to help achieve the redevelopment balance throughout Northwest Denver and my council district.